Udupi: This 13th century temple town known for its Krishna temple and Ashta Mutts did not not celebrate Krishna Janmashtami with the rest of India on August 17. Thanks to a glaring difference in the almanacs followed by the Udupi temple and those elsewhere, Udupi celebrated the festival on September 17.
Almanac (panchanga) scholars in Udupi said, “There is no meaning in celebrating Janmashtami when all the star signs do not coincide according to the Krishna Panchanga. According to it, Janmashtami can be celebrated only with the confluence of Simha Maasa, Krishna Paksha, Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Thithi as prescribed by the Souramana (Solar Almanac). This is the accurate ‘ghalige’,”
According to the almanac, Janmashtami will be complete only when the right combination of celestial signs coincide on one day and that day happened to be Sept.17th.
Sri Vidyavallabhatheertha Swamiji of Paryaya Kaniyur mutt seer donated Rs one lakh to Jammu and Kashmir flood relief fund through Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake on the occasion of Vitla Pindi /Mosaru Kudike Uthsava making the occasion meaningful.
Traditionally, the Mrithika Murthy (clay idol) of Lord Krishna was worshiped in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple from morning. Paryaya seer offered ‘Silver Kavach’ to the idol of Kanakadasa in front of Sri Krishna temple.
Later the idol was taken in a golden special chariot. Thousands of people gathered to witness Vitla Pindi /Mosaru Kudike Uthsava or Srikrishna Leelotsava at the Car Street of Sri Krishna Temple on Wednesday September 17.
Sri Vidyavallabhatheertha Swamiji Paryaya Kaniyur mutt seer offered “Mahamangalarathi” to the Lord in the chariot.
Lord Krishna deity was specially decorated with “Vajrakavacha Alankar” (Diamond armour). Devotees pulled the chariot through Car Street from 2.50 pm. The seers of Shiroor mutt and Krishnapura mutt also accompanied Paryaya seer. Seer distributed sweets, coconuts and fruits as prasadam from the rath by thronging it to the mass of devotees.
The major attraction of the festivities was the ceremonial breaking of milk pots popularly called ‘Mosaru kudike’.
Earthen pots filled with milk and milk products were hung on 17 makeshift high mast towers at different places. Temple employees dressed as gollas broke the pots using long sticks.
The human pyramid team ‘Ale re govinda’ from Mumbai comprising 200 men and 150 women had amazed the crowed with their great performance in and around the car street.
Once the chariot completed a full circle around Car Street Paryaya Kaniyur mutt seer immersed the clay idol in the nearby Madhwa Sarowar.
Several cultural troupes such as hulivesha kunitha, music bands, dollu kunitha, pata kunitha among others escorted the chariot. Hulivesha performers were honoured by the pontiff with garlands of currency notes of Rs 1000 each, while other cultural troupe members received garlands of currency notes worth Rs 500.
Elaborate security arrangements were made by police for the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
